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Hyde Park then.” Tia found an old bonnet in the linen press and then tied it under her chin.
    Tia walked the short distance between the rooms and knocked softly. Hearing no reply, she opened the door and peeked into the room. It appeared he still slept. Quietly, she crept inside toward the bedroom. She peered into the bedroom and smiled as she noticed his eyes were still shut and his breathing even. Not wanting to wake him, she tiptoed to the bed and looked at the bandage. No blood was seeping through and there was no sign of redness around it. He would be fine until she returned.
    She left the room and rushed down the stairs, bid Mrs. Abbott a good morning, and walked out of the house determined to find Jonathon at the park. She wandered the streets of Mayfair until the park opened before her. As Tia walked the path toward the Serpentine, the noisy world of London melted away. She strolled by the water and sat down to watch the passersby.
    After an hour of watching people and seeing no sign of Jonathon, she decided to walk around the park. That proved even more mundane than gawking at the finely dressed people. While she’d nodded to a few women, not a single one had taken the time to acknowledge her. With a sigh, she sat down on a bench, feeling completely defeated.
    â€œI shall be all right. Just let me rest a moment.”
    Tia glanced over at a petite woman as she sat to fan herself. After receiving cuts from the other ladies she’d passed, Tia saw no reason to greet the finely dressed woman. Although, the more she spied her, the more she realized the woman did not look well. Her face was pale and drawn as if fighting something. “Are you all right?” she finally asked.
    â€œIt’s dreadfully warm, that is all,” the woman murmured.
    â€œIs this woman bothering you?” a footman asked, drawing nearer.
    â€œNo, Arthur. She is only being kind.” The woman pressed her hands to her stomach.
    â€œMiss—”
    â€œThat would be Lady Eldridge to you, miss,” the footman said.
    â€œArthur, be a dear and go sit over there,” Lady Eldridge said, pointing to a bench out of earshot. Once the footman had stomped over to the other bench like a petulant child, she said, “He is a very nice man, but takes his responsibility to watch over me far too seriously. We are only in Hyde Park. I scarcely think anything will happen to me while I talk with you.”
    Tia laughed softly. “I rather doubt it too. Now, what is really the matter? I have some expertise in this area. I already have an idea of what is troubling you.”
    â€œYou could not possibly know. And we have not been properly introduced. I am Lady Emily Eldridge.”
    â€œI am Miss Hestia Featherstone, but most people call me Tia.”
    Lady Eldridge frowned. “Are you a servant with a family nearby?”
    â€œNo,” Tia said with a laugh and then went quiet. Mrs. Abbott had said she was nothing more than a servant and deserved to sleep downstairs with the others. But out at the estate, no one had treated her as such. They all respected and admired her for helping them with their ails.
    â€œIndeed?” Lady Eldridge pursed her bow lips and scanned Tia’s attire. “You certainly dress like a servant.”
    â€œI am a wise woman, my lady.” She glanced at her dress. “And my gown is a very long story.”
    Lady Eldridge gave a little shrug. “A gown doesn’t make a woman,” she muttered. “Now, what is a wise woman?”
    â€œI am a healer and midwife for Lord Middleton at his estate in the Midlands.”
    â€œLord Middleton?” Her eyes shuttered for a long moment. “How is he? Is he in town? I hadn’t heard he had returned.”
    â€œYes, my lady, he is in town, but not for long.” Tia wondered how this woman was acquainted with Middleton.
    â€œAnd his brother?” she whispered in an uneven tone.
    Tia realized Middleton